FAQs

Almost all OEA professional learning opportunities are free as a benefit of membership. Some OEA events and opportunities are open to non-members. Most opportunities open to non-members have a fee that ranges from $25 to $250 based on the length of the event.

OEA Virtual Learning Communities are online communities of learners who come together to collectively learn about a specific topic or issue. The VLC members may choose this topic or issue collectively, or convene together because of the topic. An OEA member facilitates the VLC to coordinate regular meetings, liaise with OEA staff, and offer support, however the facilitator does not act as an instructor, but rather a guide. Learning is a collective responsibility of the VLC members. VLCs can also be used specifically for affinity spaces, for example, for new educators. In many VLCs, participants can earn PDUs. In an OEA VLC, members might do any of the following:

• discuss strategies and best practices
• share resources
• ask questions
• share experiences
• plan for an action or event
• work on a micro-credential
• read a book
• learn together

VLCs meet on a regular basis for either a defined or undefined time period (for example, once a week for six weeks, or once a month indefinitely).

OEA Online Courses are more formal learning opportunities where participants have the option to earn PDUs or academic credit (both graduate and undergraduate credit are available). An OEA member provides regular direct instruction and participants who wish to earn credit must meet minimum course requirements that include readings and other resources; weekly assignments; regular live sessions for instruction and discussion; and asynchronous discussion forums. OEA courses also seek to build communities of learners to collectively support each other and learn from and with each other. In an OEA course, members may do any of the following:

• discuss strategies and best practices
• share resources
• ask questions
• share experiences
• learn together

Online courses may be synchronous or asynchronous or combine elements of both. Online courses are structured for a defined period of time (for example, six weeks).

PDU is an abbreviation for professional development unit. Most licenses and certificates require PDUs for renewal. For more information, see this Guide to PDUs from Oregon's Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) or attend an OEA licensure workshop.

Yes! For more information, see this Guide to PDUs from Oregon's Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) or attend an OEA licensure workshop. You can also visit TSPC's page on Renewal Information and Instructions.

OEA offers licensure workshops and one-on-one consultations. For upcoming workshops, check the Licensure page or the Events page. For consultations, find and register for a consultation. After registering for your 1-1 consultation, you will be mailed a Licensure Kit to assist you and sent a ZOOM calendar invite to accept for your meeting. You must register for these consultations a week ahead of time, as registration closes 7 days before each scheduled meeting date. If you need licensure advice right away and cannot wait to schedule a 1-1 consultation, feel free to email Teresa the details of your question or concern at teresa.ferrer@oregoned.org or leave a message with a cell phone call back # at 503-495-2108.

Traumatic experiences in students’ lives can overwhelm their capacity to cope and ultimately, their capacity to learn and thrive in school. Being a trauma informed educator can help support students who have experienced or are experiencing trauma and help them be successful, resilient learners. OEA’s four-part series –Trauma Aware, Trauma Sensitive, Trauma Responsive, and Trauma Informed – is a scaffolded journey to prepare educators for transforming their practice. We offer some parts in the series every semester.

All of the NEA/OEA micro-credential and many of the OEA courses and virtual learning communities have the option of earning graduate credit. Some OEA courses also offer undergraduate credit opportunities. Currently, academic credit is available from Augustana University. In most opportunities that offer academic credit, members can choose whether to receive PDUs (free) OR academic credit (fees charged by the university, $50 per credit).

To access academic credit for an NEA micro-credential or an OEA course, fill out this online registration form (http://www.augielink.com/OR) and submit your course completion or micro-credential award. You will receive your credit within a few days. If you have questions about credit, email OEAlearn@oregoned.org

Many of our events are scheduled and held on a seasonal basis (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) with registration opening up about a month before each season. We often repeat our most popular and relevant opportunities. To stay informed about upcoming opportunities, check the events calendar regularly, sign up for the Grow newsletter, and watch for OEA emails about professional learning registration. You can also email us questions about specfic opportunities at OEALearn@oregoned.org

To help differentiate different levels of learning, OEA uses the following four levels: foundational, intermediate, advanced, and applied leadership. To help you decide if a professional learning opportunity is a good fit for you, please refer to the following definitions:

• Foundational: Learners have limited or no previous knowledge of or experience with the topic, content, or skill.

• Intermediate: Learners are beyond the basics and have a foundational knowledge of the topic, content or skill from previous professional learning or from professional experience.
  

• Advanced: Learners have substantial knowledge of or experience with the topic, content, or skill from previous in-depth professional learning and/or from extensive professional experience. Learners are actively changing their practice in this area and could lead foundational learning on the topic, content, or skill
  

• Applied Leadership: Learners apply advanced knowledge, skills, and beliefs to lead learning at various levels, to lead change in policy or practice, or to advocate for change outside of their individual context at the school, district, or state level, and/or within the union.

The number of participants varies by virtual learning community but generally ranges between 10 and 30.

OEA's National Board Jump Start is a comprehensive, multi-day seminar designed to provide National Board candidates with important information about the certification process, time to examine component and Assessment Center requirements, the opportunity to plan how to meet requirements, and time to collaborate, gather resources and information needed to pursue certification. All this happens in a supportive, constructive, and collegial environment led by Oregon National Board Certified Teachers. Jump Start is held each summer.

There are two places where we archive recordings. Some recordings are located on the Resources page of our website. Others are located in the Grow OEA Ed Community located at https://tinyurl.com/OEArecordings.

The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) reimburses teachers for their initial NBCT costs as well as their renewal expenses. To meet the requirements for reimbursement of your National Board certification, you must:

Have an active and valid non-provisional Oregon teaching license.
Receive initial National Board certification or maintenance certification after July 1, 2017.
Be employed in an Oregon teaching assignment when the eligible expenses were incurred.
Be employed in an Oregon teaching assignment at the time of reimbursement.
See the National Board Reimbursement FAQs (on the Resources page) for more information.

The first step to becoming an OEA facilitator is to send an email to OEALearn@oregoned.org. We will then discuss your areas of interest and expertise. We're always looking for new ideas for professional learning events! We encourage all new facilitators to sign up for the Facilitating Online Professional Learning course held each fall. Only OEA members can become faciliators.

We love suggestions and new ideas for professional learning! Please send us your ideas by using the contact form on this website or email OEALearn@oregoned.org